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The body's circadian rhythm affects insulin activity and disrupting the rhythm may raise the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes, according to a study in Current Biology. Vanderbilt University researchers said the study shows that when a person eats is important to health, as well as what and how much is eaten.

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Reprogramming the cell material chromatin helped trigger beta-cell gene expression in alpha cells among human and mouse cells, according to a study in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. "This would be a win-win situation for diabetics -- they would have more insulin-producing beta cells and there would be fewer glucagon-producing alpha cells," said lead author Klaus H. Kaestner.

New Zealand researchers looked at 85 4- to 11-year-olds and found that first-borns had a 21% decline in insulin sensitivity and a 4 mmHg increase in blood pressure compared with other children. They also found that the eldest children tended to be taller and thinner than other children. The findings will be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Amlexanox, an off-patent asthma drug, reversed obesity, diabetes and fatty liver disease in mice, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. The drug appears to inhibit the IKK(epsilon) and TBK1 genes, which might allow the metabolic system to burn more energy, University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute researcher Alan Saltiel said. Researchers plan to test the drug in clinical trials and are working on optimized formulas.

Research institutions need to do a better job of publicizing clinical trials to recruit more adults and children, researchers say. Only 11% of U.S. adults and 5% of children have ever participated in a clinical trial, while only 64% of adults are aware of opportunities to participate and 12% of parents know about clinical trials for their children, a survey of 2,150 households found. Study results are published in the journal Clinical and Translational Science.

Severely obese youths who received exenatide injections twice a day for three months lost about 7 pounds more than the placebo group, according to a study in JAMA Pediatrics. Initially approved by the FDA for adults with type 2 diabetes, exenatide showed potential "in terms of weight reduction and cardiovascular risk control," lead author Aaron Kelly said.